I really don't want to make bad movies!

The next day, Xia Ming got out of bed after sleeping for only a few hours.

He leaned against the headboard, silently contemplating his next plan.

The script review issue was resolved by Jiang Wen through connections while he was on the set of "Let the Bullets Fly".

With Jiang Wen acting as a go-between, as long as the filming follows the original script and there are no major changes, the second review can be completed within ten working days.

The problem is still money.

Chen Kun will participate in the performance.

The platform may invest money, but how much it will invest is unknown.

In the worst-case scenario, the platform meets the production crew and big stars, and even after reading the script, they still don't want to invest.

After deducting Chen Kun's 1.5 million yuan film salary, he only had 1.1 million yuan left as start-up capital.

The filming crew spends 6,000 yuan a day just on the photography team. If you include assistants, the machinery team, the lighting team, and the art team, it costs at least 30,000 yuan a day.

The lead actor and extras are paid 20,000 yuan per day.

The venue, costumes, props, and sets may cost 30,000 yuan a day.

Other miscellaneous expenses, such as venue maintenance and insurance, can easily amount to 20,000 per day.

The food and accommodation for the entire crew cost another 10,000 to 20,000 yuan per day.

According to this calculation, it would consume at least 120,000 per day.

The money was burned up in about ten days of filming.

This doesn't even include post-production rendering effects and marketing, or the special expenses for reshoots or retakes.

Xia Ming made a conservative estimate: assuming the original film's quality is up to standard and strict control is maintained, saving money wherever possible, at least eight million yuan would be needed to ensure the series' smooth release.

If any unforeseen circumstances occur during this period, even eight million wouldn't be enough to cover the losses.

Another approach is to first shoot two sample episodes using the original budget, and then use the sample episodes to attract investment from video platforms.

However, the sample film involves copyright registration issues and needs to be submitted for review along with the script, draft, and project documents, which takes a very long time.

After much deliberation, Xia Ming decided to first assess the sincerity of the QuanQuan platform.

No matter what, we have to get the crew up and running first, at least finish filming Chen Kun's scenes.

Chen Kun's availability is highly sought after; once you miss this opportunity, it's gone forever.

Zhao Fei wasn't idle either; after the first cut of "Let the Bullets Fly" was finished, he still had to help Jiang Wen review the footage.

These two individuals, one representing traffic and the other representing quality, are both indispensable.

Even if the funding chain breaks down and the production team is forced to disband, Xia Ming is confident that he can rebuild the team.

"The Swindlers" is a series told in an episodic style, with each episode being highly independent and easy to reshoot, unlike movies where reshoots can create a sense of disjointedness.

Once Chen Kun's scenes are filmed, the remaining main actors are all students, making it very easy to rebuild the production team.

If all else fails, take the sample footage to Director Jiang and ask Producer Ma to invest some more money.

Producer Ma wouldn't plagiarize his own sample film ideas, would he?

However, this turns angel investment into investment based on personal connections, and personal connections are extremely valuable in the film industry...

"Ming-ge, you're trending again."

Wang Zhengchuan had also gotten up and poked his head out from below.

"Why aren't you in class?" Xia Ming looked at the other two beds; Abei and Xiao Liang had already gone to the classroom.

"I'll definitely take leave and go filming with you!" Wang Zhengchuan said seriously.

"Just admit you're skipping class."

Wang Zhengchuan immediately changed the subject: "Look at the school forum, they're talking about you again."

He read out the top-rated comments one by one.

"When exactly will the school expel Xia Ming, this black sheep? He skips classes and spends all his time fantasizing about becoming a director overnight."

"What exactly is Xia Ming's background? How can he use school resources to make pornographic films?"

"It's 'Mao the Swindler,' I heard it's about con artists."

"His video of that giant hornet went viral, he must have made some money, right? Is he already trying to throw money around so quickly?"

Xia Ming felt increasingly uneasy: "Are they all from the directing department criticizing me?"

Wang Zhengchuan laughed heartily: "Of course! You have a great reputation in the acting department. Everyone says that if you're not confident in your acting skills, you can go to Director Xia. He can get everyone right in one take."

"There's also the Literature Department waiting for you to collect their scripts. They have a lot of bizarre scripts about upright apes fighting the Titanic, and they're worried about not getting their talents recognized."

"Let them criticize, I'm filming seriously this time."

Xia Ming jumped out of bed and began to wash up.

The students still showed him some consideration, and their attacks weren't strong enough to penetrate his heart.

Wang Zhengchuan put away his phone, looking somewhat skeptical: "Really, Ming-ge? Don't go around spending money recklessly. What if you make another 'Big Hornet' movie? Won't the producers blacklist you?"

"You think I didn't learn anything on the Jiang Wen film crew?"

These words made Wang Zhengchuan prick up his ears, rubbing his hands together as he asked, "Yeah, how did Director Jiang manage to pull you into the film crew? He hasn't told me yet!"

"That was during summer vacation, the news hadn't spread around the school yet, you missed a great opportunity to show off!"

Xia Ming said it was a secret.

He sent Wang Zhengchuan a 1,000 yuan red envelope as payment for recruiting actors yesterday.

Overjoyed to receive the money, Wang Zhengchuan didn't even bother to ask Xia Ming for information and rushed out to go online.

……

Over the next half day, Xia Ming conducted a second round of screening for the lead actors.

The final cast list has been confirmed.

Zhao Ning, the leader of the con artist team, is played by Jiang Xixi.

An Ning, skilled in seduction and disguise, is played by Yan Shu.

Xiao Bao is a character who grows and develops, played by Kong Xun, a third-year student majoring in acting. He has a cute and endearing appearance.

Li Wei, the team's technical expert, is played by Li Junlin, who previously worked with Da Ma Feng.

Dongdong, a former pickpocket, is played by Zhao Lang, a boy in the same grade.

Xia Ming led the five of them through the general plot, had them sign a confidentiality agreement, and then distributed the complete script.

"Director Xia, are you this professional?"

When the group received the script, they were immediately taken aback by its rich content and well-organized structure.

This?

Did you buy this notebook?

Kong Xun flipped through a few pages in disbelief, then suddenly noticed something and quickly turned back to the first page.

Executive Producer: Jiang Wen?!

He blinked, then came to his senses.

This name is so common, it's not surprising that people with the same name share it.

"My God, Director Xia, did you write this script? It's amazing!" Yan Shu exclaimed, covering her mouth in amazement.

Today she wore a navy blue bodycon skirt and a dark blue feather shawl, her bare shoulders and undisguised curves exuding charm.

When she reads the script, her purple manicured nails make a "rustling" sound as they scrape through the thick pages.

"You're actors, so you don't need to care who wrote the script." Xia Ming said seriously. "Let's get this straight, doing what's described in the script is the most basic requirement. I'll be very strict with you on set later."

"If you don't meet the standards, I can fire any one of you."

Zhao Lang and Kong Xun raised an eyebrow, seemingly displeased.

But knowing they were there to make money, they still nodded to indicate they received it.

After giving some instructions, Xia Ming told them to go back and rest, and to meet at the photography base the next morning.

Everyone else left, leaving only Yan Shu smiling as she looked at Xia Ming.

"Is there anything else?" Xia Ming asked, sitting in his seat and communicating with Zhao Fei via WeChat about tomorrow's filming schedule.

Zhao Fei's connections were indeed strong enough that he managed to assemble a 15-person filming team for him in just two days, including two ARRI cinema cameras and their supporting equipment.

Even the photography studio was arranged to book the entire venue for a month at a 50% discount, costing only 400,000 yuan.

"Director Xia~ There are still some things I don't understand about this character, can you teach me?"

Yan Shu obediently squatted in front of the table, like a mole with her fingers on the edge of the table, and slowly pushed the script towards Xia Ming.

Xia Ming then looked up and saw her large expanse of snow-white skin.

"What don't you understand?"

Yan Shu leaned forward slightly, pressing her chest against the script, her purple nail polish circling the character's lines: "Look here, these lines are so vulgar, how can I possibly read them?"

Xia Ming looked over, but he couldn't see any lines; he could only see faintly visible veins.

Before he could even speak, Yan Shu burst out laughing.

"How was it? Did I get into character pretty well? Did you feel a sense of peace?"

Moving your gaze upwards, you can see Yan Shu, her eyes sparkling with a smile, resting her chin on her hand, her eyelashes fluttering, gently winking at you.

This woman's makeup is really beautiful.

Xia Ming couldn't help but admire him in his heart.

"summer--"

Yan Shu's voice was interrupted by a phone vibration.

Xia Ming picked up the vibrating cell phone on the table and answered the call.

"Feed?"

A cold, indifferent voice came through the phone.

"Xia Ming, time to eat."

Xia Ming looked closely and realized it was a WeChat call from Jiang Xixi.

He always felt like he was being watched by hunters.

Looking around, all he could see were Yan Shu's bright and lively eyes.

"What's wrong, Director Xia? Is your girlfriend looking for you?" Yan Shu twirled a stray strand of hair that had fallen down her temples with her fingers.

The phone hangs up.

Xia Ming looked at the screen again.

Jiang Xixi sent herself three polar bear punching emojis and then nothing more.